Brian Zipse Joining Horse Racing Nation

Popular blogger will move Zipse At The Track To Growing Horse Racing Site December 15, 2010 - Horse Racing Nation announced that Brian Zipse, author of the popular blog Zipse At The Track, will be joining Horse Racing Nation as Managing Editor starting this week. “Brian is incredibly passionate about racing, and in less than two years took Zipse At The Track from inception to one of the most popular blogs in racing,” said Mark Midland, co-founder and managing partner of Horse Racing Nation. “His talents and enthusiasm will be a big part of our growth next year.” Zipse At The Track will move to HorseRacingNation.com where Brian will continue to write his daily articles on horse racing, help drive the site’s social media efforts and add his editorial skills to the overall content of the website.  Brian has been a passionate fan of horse racing fan since birth. Before joining Horse Racing Nation, Brian displayed his love for the sport through the development of his horse racing website, which quickly became one of the most popular blogs in the game. “I am thrilled to be joining the Horse Racing Nation team,” said Zipse. “With our combined vision and efforts in action, I'm excited about what we'll be able to offer the fans and the community who love horse racing as much as we do.”  A graduate of DePaul University, Brian lives in suburban Chicago with his wife Candice and daughter Kendra, where he is a professional golf instructor when not following the horses. About HorseRacingNation.com Horse Racing Nation is a fan-powered horse racing community with horse profiles, race results, video replays, photos and free selections, all powered by the horse racing community. Horse Racing Nation was launched in April 2009 and features unique elements for horse racing fans including Stakes Tracker, a constantly updated profile of upcoming stakes races, and the Derby Power Rankings, a fan-based ranking of future Kentucky Derby contenders. -END-

The ZATT Zone

What you are about to read is a small chapter from a series of works called the ZATT Zone. I believe you will find that it is a very special kind of series. One that explores the deepest, darkest recesses of the mind and the nature of all things. There is only one goal in the telling of these stories, and that is entertainment. Entertainment, for you the audience. In the reading of these stories you will be sent down a path of infinite possibilities. A journey of wonderment so vast the only place these stories can be housed is in the human mind. So grab a beverage of your liking, sit back and strap in, and get ready for the ride of a lifetime. For you my friends, are about to enter … the ZATT Zone. **** Today’s story is called Belmont or Bust, and it is about two men who are bound by a singular, common ideal. Picture, if you will, these two men hurtling down a highway, armed only with a Daily Racing Form and hopes and dreams of seeing great horses and of picking winners. Their story begins innocently enough in a normal sort of place, in a normal sort of town. From there, the journey these two men will unknowingly embark on, will forever change them in ways beyond what they could ever imagine. Passing by the quiet towns of Indiana, and the farms and industry of Ohio, over and through the mountains of Pennsylvania, and the swamps of New Jersey ... the names of these men are Zipse and Zenner. Two ordinary men who happen to fancy the ponies. It was Zipse’s idea to go to New York, and more specifically Belmont Park. While Zenner was only an agreeable participant. The trip to Belmont proved uneventful enough, and the day at the races for the two men was progressing nicely. A few cashed tickets, good friends, good horses, and good times. As the horses entered the starting gate for the day’s feature, a strange wind blew in and the sky went purple. Zipse thought the starting gate bell was louder than he had ever heard before. As the first hoof pounded the ground to begin the race, everything had changed. They felt it. Zenner looked at Zipse who was suddenly endowed with an afro and a groovy mustache. Zenner, whose mutton chops were covering half his face, yelled “what just happened?” Zipse was stunned but never took his eyes of the horses. Honest Pleasure was on the lead. Zenner stared at his racing form and could not believe what he was seeing … It was indeed October 2, but the year jumped of the page at him in three dimensions … 1976! He grabbed Zipse by the shoulder and shook. “Where are we?” Just then announcer Dave Johnson proclaimed, “Forego is 6th on the outside.” Zipse turned to Zenner and said, “Watch the race. Something tells me this is gonna be a good one!” **** All they were looking for was a horse racing adventure. The best laid plans of mice and men, and Zipse and Zenner, for they have just entered the ZATT Zone.

Classic!

Do you realize how good this year‘s Breeders‘ Cup Classic could be? Now I understand we will be fortunate to have all of these wonderful horses line up in the starting gate at Churchill on November 6, but as of now the potential for a showdown unlike anything we have seen in a long, long time is out there. Think about the potential starters… ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here Also ... My man on the Euro scene, Ciarán De Barra, fills us in on the big doings starting tomorrow at Royal Ascot, including a strong prediction for a superstar miler over on ZATT International.

The Genesis of ZATT

It always surprises me whenever someone asks me where the name ZATT comes from. I would have thought that it would be readily apparent, but after so many occurrences of being questioned, I realize that I need to be completely transparent with my readers. Pardon me, for those who had this figured out a long time ago, but the name ZATT comes directly from the name of some of my all-time favorite horses… Who can ever forget the top-notch runner and superior sire, Storm Zatt, or the brilliant Horse of the Year of 2004, Ghostzatter? Tale of the Zatt was a huge talent and is now the sire of a champion, while Zatt Daddy was a major winner and one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby before his early retirement. The D. Wayne Lukas trained, Zatt Thief won the big one in the 1999 Breeders‘ Cup Classic, and Any Given Zatturday routed two-time Horse of the Year, Curlin, in the Haskell. The Haskell was also won impressively by his older stablemate, Bluegrass Zatt. I also like to remind race fans of Zatticus, who won major races on both sides of the Atlantic, and Zatty G who was a very talented son of champion, Capote. Then there is Discreet Zatt, who may have been one of the more talented milers we have seen in recent years, and was the only other horse to win a race entered by Invasor. Still in training, I am very fond of the talented turfer, Courageous Zatt, who was second to the great Goldikova in last year’s BC Mile, and the talented old warrior, Brass Zatt, who keeps going and going. The list could go on my friends, but I think you see my point. ZATT and racing have gone hand in hand for years, and will continue to do so. I doubt I could have possibly picked a better name.

To Rachel or not to Rachel

That is the question.  I am heading down to Churchill Downs this Saturday for two somewhat disproportionate reasons; to see what should be a strong edition of the Stephen Foster Handicap, and to get my first glimpse of Rachel Alexandra this year. Sure the Foster is a big race, but truth be told, this is a Rachel trip. But will I see her?  Trying to get info out of Jess Jackson can be tougher than hitting a two-iron to an island green. The Foster, the Fleur de Lis, (both at Churchill on Saturday) the Ogden Phipps, and the Obeah Stakes, have all been mentioned as possible starts for my heroine. Secretive to a fault, Jackson leaves us with four races, three tracks, and two regions of the nation where she may appear in five days. Come on Jess, tell me, will I see her? ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here

Special Guest Blog/Happy Birthday

By Michael Horvath This is a special edition of Who Am I.....  I was born in the year that Arts and Letters denied Majestic Prince from being the first undefeated Triple Crown Winner.  It is appropriate that my birthday is Belmont Stakes Day 2010.  My sire is Dr. Phil  Although I'm a NJ bred, I currently stand stud in Illinois  And yes, I love Candie! By now, you should know that this is the man that has provided us with horse racing memories and games since August 2009 (and yes, pronounce the "e"). I'm not going to bore you with my attempt to be a writer (Steve Haskin's job at Blood-Horse is safe) but I did want to express my sincerest thank you from me, and I'm sure from all of you, for the time and effort Brian has put into ZATT. Brian has thrilled us with the Zipse Awards, Remembering..., Who Am I, the Video of the Day, Daily Polls and most recently ZATT the Magazine. All comments are acknowledged. Discussion is encouraged. So today Brian, take a load off. Sit back and enjoy the celebration that Belmont Park has arranged for you today (hey, it sounds good). You deserve the day off. In addition to analyzing the racing program, be sure to play a 4-1 exacta box for every race on the card. Happy Birthday Brian!!!!!!

Happy Memorial Day!

Today is a day to celebrate the memory of our fallen soldiers. It is also traditionally one of the finest racing days of the year. As usual there are big stakes and great cards all over the nation on Memorial Day. So today I wish you all a happy holiday… now let’s talk horses. Lone Star Park, Hollywood Park, and Monmouth Park all have multiple stakes to keep a close eye on, but no race today is bigger than the return of the brilliant Quality Road in Belmont Park’s historic Met Mile. A career that has been filled with setbacks, but also with the promise of ultimate quality, has led Quality Road to be one of the most interesting horses on our racing landscape in years. Today, another chapter of the Quality Road saga will be written. ***The remainder of today's column can be found on Youbet.com*** Click Here